Page 12 of Broken Love

“Where do you plan to go for dinner?” she asks once we’re alone again.

“Oh, uhm, it’s a surprise, I think.” I’m not completely lying. I am going out for dinner, but it’s by myself and in a hospital cafeteria.

I found out which hospital Lux is working at right now, and I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of her while I’m there. I’ve decided that I want to meet my sisters.

“Well, isn’t that lovely of your friends?” I hum my agreement before asking another question to distract her. I don’t think it works too well; this woman should have been a spy.

By the time the day is over, I still haven’t seen Tanner or Tucker again, so I leave a note on each of their desks, thanking them for a wonderful first day and that I look forward to tomorrow.

Grabbing a cab, I head to Hell’s Kitchen and the hospital Lux is working at this evening. I’ve spent the last week staring at a photo of her, and she’s beautiful. Long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and lips as red as Snow White’s. She’s a beauty and looks nothing like me, which makes me question if my mom was wrong and we’re not actually sisters.

Entering the building, I follow the signs leading to the cafeteria. Of course, I realize she might never come down here, but I figure the least I can do is spend a few hours, read a book, and see if I get a glimpse of her.

I’m aware of how stalkerish that sounds. Keenly aware, but I’m just not ready to introduce myself to her yet. I could be some kind of catalyst for ruining her life, and I’d hate myself forever if I did that. I detest being the one holding this secret, though.

Two sisters.

I existed my entire life without them; it wouldn’t be hard to go the rest of it the same way. But I have no one. No family left. The friends I do have are busy with their own lives and have drifted off while I was grieving. So, no, I wouldn’t call them friends at all.

The hospital is like any other as I leisurely walk the halls, smelling of antiseptic, groaning, and a haunting feeling that makes me cringe. I’m incredibly grateful my mother didn’t die in one. I don’t think I could do this if she had.

Forging through the swinging doors, the smell of food hits me, and my stomach groans, reminding me I was too nervous to eat my lunch today. After placing an order for a turkey club, garden salad, and a slice of cheesecake, I grab the closest table and wait for my food.

Glancing around, I notice doors leading out to an inviting and relaxing garden. There are bookstands against one wall, lots of foliage, and plenty of empty seating. I’ve never seen anything like this one. Typically, hospital cafeterias are cold and sterile—in my experience, anyway.

As my number is called for my food, I grab a bottle of water and a coffee as well before sitting back down again. Mixing the Santa Fe ranch dressing into my salad, I carefully stir it so the leafy confections are well-coated. After taking a bite, my stomach clenches in delight, thanking me for the sustenance. I eat mindlessly until the salad is gone, surprising myself. I’m not typically a picky eater; I know I have to give my body fuel, but it’s not often I finish something entirely before moving on to the next item on my plate.

Mixing my coffee, I hear chatter from the entrance and glance up briefly to see a small group of women in lavender scrubs entering and heading to the order line. My breath catches in my throat when I find Lux among the women.

My heart rate picks up, and I become breathless. My ears ring, and I feel like I might throw up what I just ate. Gripping the edges of the table, I attempt to get control of myself as I watch her order and laugh with her friends.

They sit just a few tables over from me, and while I love that Lux is so close, she is facing me, so I can’t openly observe her. I really do sound like a stalker. I can feel myself pale when she glances my way. Her eyebrows furrow, and she excuses herself from the group and slowly walks over to me.

Shit.

“Hi there, are you alright?” Lux pulls out a chair and sits beside me before reaching for my wrists and feeling my pulse racing. “You don’t look so well. Are you a patient here?”

Shaking my head, I take a drink of water before answering her. “I’m not. Just came to see someone.”

“Your pulse is racing, and you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Her concern is touching.

“I’m fine, really. It’s just she doesn’t know I’m here, and I’m afraid,” I croak out, taking another sip of my water. “She doesn’t even know I exist.”

Lux sits back, staring at me as she ponders my problem. “Who is she?” Leaning forward, she listens earnestly.

Blowing out a breath, I debate telling her the truth. She is the one I’m talking about, after all. “Well, the thing is, I have a sister—two actually—and neither of them knows about me. Or I don’t think they do. I only learned of them last year.”

“Whoa,” she whistles as one of the women brings over the food she ordered and leaves us alone.

“Yeah.” I don’t know what else to say.

Taking a bite of her food, she asks, “What are you going to do?”

I nibble at my sandwich as I contemplate my answer. “I want to know them both. I want to have relationships with them, but I don’t want to walk into their lives and upend them, you know? I’m all alone now, and they have family. I don’t want to intrude on that.”

“Why do you think you’d be intruding? Maybe they would be welcoming?” she counters.

“Would you?” I hold my breath for her answer.

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